The Solemn Assembly

April 1974 General Conference

This, brothers and sisters, is a very solemn occasion. We so approach it and should so conduct it. It will take quite a time; but if we are in the frame of mind and spirit which we should be in, I am sure it will not be tedious.

We are met in the Tabernacle on Temple Square, Salt Lake City, in a formal Solemn Assembly of the body of the Church to express the voice of the Church in a first sustaining vote for a new president of the Church. This proceeding is in accordance with the practice of the Church from the first sustaining vote cast by a general conference for President John Taylor, until the present time.

The priesthood of the Church, insofar as the Tabernacle can accommodate them, is seated here by priesthood quorums.

The First Presidency, the Council of the Twelve, with their Assistants, the Patriarch to the Church, the Presidents of the First Council of the Seventy, and the Presiding Bishopric occupy their usual seats on the Tabernacle stand.

The Regional Representatives of the Twelve and the Mission Representatives of the Twelve and the First Council of the Seventy occupy the seats to the north and south of the stand, both lower seats within the railing and those on the stand level, and the front seats in the body of the hall.

The patriarchs occupy the seats near the front in the body of the hall.

The high priests of the Church, including presidents of stakes and their counselors, the high councilors, the presidencies and members of quorums, and ward bishoprics, occupy the center of the building on the main floor, as far to the eastward as the galleries.

The seventies occupy the north part of the building on the main floor under the north gallery.

The elders occupy the south part of the building on the main floor under the galleries.

The Aaronic Priesthood (priests, teachers, and deacons) occupy the seats on the main floor, just back of the high priests, under the gallery on the east.

The general membership of the Church occupy the rest of the building.

Many are gathered in the Assembly Hall, the Salt Palace, and in their homes, and wherever you are, members of the Church may participate in the voting.

The voting will be by priesthood quorums first, and then by the conference assembled.

The quorums and groups of quorums will vote in the following order:

The First Presidency

The Quorum of the Twelve

The patriarchs

The high priests, including the Assistants to the Twelve, Regional Representatives and Mission Representatives, the presidents of stakes and their counselors, the high councilors, presidencies of quorums, quorum members, the Presiding Bishopric, and ward bishoprics.

The seventies

The elders

The Aaronic Priesthood (priests, teachers, and deacons).

The whole congregation here assembled, including the priesthood.

The voting will be in the following manner:

As each quorum or group is called, they will be asked to vote to sustain the officer proposed. Those voting will when called upon arise to their feet. When the affirmative vote is called for, those so voting will bring their right arms to the square to manifest to the Lord that they sustain the officer for whom they are voting. They will then drop their hands. Then those opposing will be asked to bring their right arms to the square to bear witness to the Lord that they are not willing to sustain the officer whom they are called upon to sustain.

When both affirmative and negative votes are cast, the members of the quorum will resume their seats.

All of the quorums will vote in this manner.

Everyone is perfectly free to vote as he wishes. There is no compulsion whatsoever in this voting. When you vote affirmatively you make a solemn covenant with the Lord that you will sustain, that is, give your full loyalty and support, without equivocation or reservation, to the officer for whom you vote.

After all the quorums have so voted, a vote will then be called of the whole congregation, those bearing the priesthood and those not bearing it. All will arise. Those voting to sustain will raise their right arms to the square, to witness that they sustain the officers for whom they vote. After they lower their hands the opposing vote will be called for and will be manifested by raising the right arm to the square.

The officers so to be voted for by quorums are the following.

The president of the Church;

The first counselor to the president of the Church;

The second counselor to the president of the Church;

The president of the Quorum of the Twelve;

The Council of the Twelve;

The Patriarch to the Church;

The sustaining of the counselors in the presidency, the Council of the Twelve, and the Patriarch, as prophets, seers, and revelators to the Church.

After the vote by quorums to sustain these officers, the rest of the General Authorities, the general officers of the Church, and the general auxiliary officers of the Church will be sustained by voting as in the ordinary general conference. This is in accordance with the procedure set by President John Taylor.

Please be ready to begin voting. Only Church members are entitled to vote.

Only one quorum, or group of quorums, as the case may be, will stand at a time in voting by quorums. Each quorum, or group of quorums, will please arise when requested and remain standing until requested to be seated.

May the Lord guide us and may his Spirit attend us as we go forward in this solemn service, established by the Lord so that each member of his Church may have a voice in sustaining those whom he has called to preside over it and to direct its work, to the salvation and exaltation of mankind.

We shall first vote by quorums to sustain the President of the Church and his Counselors.

Voting on First Presidency

The First Presidency will please arise.

It is proposed that we sustain Spencer Woolley Kimball as prophet, seer, and revelator, and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

It is proposed that we sustain Nathan Eldon Tanner as first counselor in the First Presidency of the Church.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

It is proposed that we sustain Marion George Romney as second counselor in the First Presidency of the Church.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

The First Presidency will please be seated.

The Quorum of the Twelve will please arise.

It is proposed that we sustain Spencer Woolley Kimball as prophet, seer, and revelator, and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

It is proposed that we sustain Nathan Eldon Tanner as first counselor in the First Presidency of the Church.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

It is proposed that we sustain Marion George Romney as second counselor in the First Presidency of the Church.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

The Council of the Twelve will please be seated.

The patriarchs of the Church here assembled, including the Patriarch to the Church, will please arise.

It is proposed that we sustain Spencer Woolley Kimball as prophet, seer, and revelator, and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

It is proposed that we sustain Nathan Eldon Tanner as first counselor in the First Presidency of the Church.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

It is proposed that we sustain Marion George Romney as second counselor in the First Presidency of the Church.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

The patriarchs of the Church will please be seated.

The high priests of the Church here assembled, including the Assistants to the Twelve, the Regional Representatives of the Twelve, the Mission Representatives of the Twelve and the First Council of the Seventy, the presidents of stakes and their counselors, the high councilors, the presidencies of quorums, the quorum members, the Presiding Bishopric, and ward bishoprics, will please arise.

It is proposed that we sustain Spencer Woolley Kimball as prophet, seer, and revelator, and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

It is proposed that we sustain Nathan Eldon Tanner as first counselor in the First Presidency of the Church.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

It is proposed that we sustain Marion George Romney as second counselor in the First Presidency of the Church.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

The high priests of the Church will please be seated.

The seventies of the Church here assembled, including the Presidents of the First Council of the Seventy, the presidencies of other quorums of seventies, and quorum members, will please arise.

It is proposed that we sustain Spencer Woolley Kimball as prophet, seer, and revelator, and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

It is proposed that we sustain Nathan Eldon Tanner as first counselor in the First Presidency of the Church.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

It is proposed that we sustain Marion George Romney as second counselor in the First Presidency of the Church.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

The seventies of the Church will please be seated.

The elders of the Church here assembled, including the presidencies of quorums and quorum members, will please arise.

It is proposed that we sustain Spencer Woolley Kimball as prophet, seer, and revelator, and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

It is proposed that we sustain Nathan Eldon Tanner as first counselor in the First Presidency of the Church.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

It is proposed that we sustain Marion George Romney as second counselor in the First Presidency of the Church.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

The elders of the Church will please be seated.

The Aaronic Priesthood of the Church here assembled, including the presidencies of teachers and deacons quorums, and members of priests, teachers, and deacons quorums, will please arise.

It is proposed that we sustain Spencer Woolley Kimball as prophet, seer, and revelator, and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

It is proposed that we sustain Nathan Eldon Tanner as first counselor in the First Presidency of the Church.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

It is proposed that we sustain Marion George Romney as second counselor in the First Presidency of the Church.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

The Aaronic Priesthood of the Church will please be seated.

The entire congregation of the Church here assembled, all the members of the Church, those bearing the priesthood, and those not bearing it, will please arise. We suggest that those seated in the Assembly Hall, in the Salt Palace, and elsewhere likewise arise and join in the voting, and likewise all those listening in on the air, or viewing these proceedings by television.

It is proposed that we sustain Spencer Woolley Kimball as prophet, seer, and revelator, and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

It is proposed that we sustain Nathan Eldon Tanner as first counselor in the First Presidency of the Church.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

It is proposed that we sustain Marion George Romney as second counselor in the First Presidency of the Church.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

The congregation will please be seated.

President Kimball, so far as noted, the last vote and all the other votes preceding it were unanimous.

Voting on the President of the Twelve Apostles and the Full Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

We shall next vote to sustain the president of the Quorum of the Twelve and then to sustain all the members of the Quorum.

The First Presidency will please arise.

It is proposed that we sustain Ezra Taft Benson as president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

The patriarchs of the Church will please be seated.

The high priests of the Church here assembled, including the Assistants to the Twelve, Regional Representatives of the Twelve, Mission Representatives of the Twelve and First Council of the Seventy, the presidents of stakes and their counselors, the high councilors, the presidencies of quorums, the quorum members, the Presiding Bishopric, and ward bishoprics, will please arise.

It is proposed that we sustain Ezra Taft Benson as president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

The Aaronic Priesthood of the Church will please be seated.

The entire congregation of the Church here assembled, all the members of the Church, those bearing the priesthood, and those not bearing it, will pelase arise. Again we suggest that those seated in the Assembly Hall, and those listening by radio or viewing these services on television, arise and join in this voting.

It is proposed that we sustain Ezra Taft Benson as president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

The congregation will please be seated.

So far as observed, this voting was unanimous in the affirmative.

Voting on the Patriarch to the Church

We shall next vote to sustain the Patriarch to the Church.

The First Presidency will please arise.

It is proposed that we sustain Eldred G. Smith as Patriarch to the Church.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

The First Presidency will please be seated.

The Quorum of the Twelve will please arise:

It is proposed that we sustain Eldred G. Smith as Patriarch to the Church.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

The Quorum of the Twelve will please be seated.

The patriarchs of the Church here assembled, including the Patriarch to the Church, will please arise.

It is proposed that we sustain Eldred G. Smith as Patriarch to the Church.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

The patriarchs of the Church will please be seated.

The high priests of the Church here assembled, including the Assistants to the Twelve, the Regional Representatives of the Twelve, the Mission Representatives of the Twelve and First Council of the Seventy, the presidents of stakes and their counselors, the high councilors, the presidencies of quorums, the quorum members, the Presiding Bishopric and ward bishoprics will please arise.

It is proposed that we sustain Eldred G. Smith as Patriarch to the Church.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

The high priests of the Church will please be seated.

The seventies of the Church here assembled, including the Presidents of the First Council of the Seventy, the presidencies of other quorums, and quorum members, will please arise.

It is proposed that we sustain Eldred G. Smith as Patriarch to the Church.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

The seventies of the Church will please be seated.

The elders of the Church here assembled, including the presidencies of quorums and quorum members, will please arise.

It is proposed that we sustain Eldred G. Smith as Patriarch to the Church.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

The elders of the Church will please be seated.

The Aaronic Priesthood of the Church here assembled, including the presidencies of teachers and deacons quorums, and members of priests, teachers, and deacons quorums, will please arise.

It is proposed that we sustain Eldred G. Smith as Patriarch to the Church.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

The Aaronic Priesthood of the Church will please be seated.

The entire congregation of the Church here assembled, all the members of the Church, those bearing the priesthood and those not bearing it, will please arise. Again will those in the Assembly Hall, and those listening by radio or viewing these services on television, arise and join in the voting.

It is proposed that we sustain Eldred G. Smith as Patriarch to the Church.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

The congregation will please be seated.

This vote was likewise unanimous in the affirmative.

Voting on Prophets, Seers, and Revelators

We shall next vote to sustain the prophets, seers, and revelators to the Church.

The First Presidency will please arise.

It is proposed that we sustain the counselors in the First Presidency, the Twelve Apostles, and the Patriarch to the Church, as prophets, seers, and revelators.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

The First Presidency will please be seated.

The Quorum of the Twelve will please arise.

It is proposed that we sustain the counselors in the First Presidency, the Twelve Apostles, and the Patriarch to the Church, as prophets, seers, and revelators.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

The Quorum of the Twelve will please be seated.

The patriarchs of the Church here assembled, including the Patriarch to the Church, will please arise.

It is proposed that we sustain the counselors in the First Presidency, the Twelve Apostles, and the Patriarch to the Church, as prophets, seers, and revelators.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

The patriarchs of the Church will please be seated.

The high priests of the Church here assembled, including the Assistants to the Twelve, the Regional Representatives of the Twelve, the Mission Representatives of the Twelve and First Council of the Seventy, the presidents of stakes and their counselors, the high councilors, the presidencies of quorums, the quorum members, the Presiding Bishopric, and ward bishoprics, will please arise.

It is proposed that we sustain the counselors in the First Presidency, the Twelve Apostles, and the Patriarch to the Church, as prophets, seers, and revelators.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

The high priests of the Church will please be seated.

The seventies of the Church here assembled, including the Presidents of the First Council of the Seventy, the presidencies of other quorums, and quorum members, will please arise.

It is proposed that we sustain the counselors in the First Presidency, the Twelve Apostles, and the Patriarch to the Church, as prophets, seers, and revelators.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

The seventies of the Church will please be seated.

The elders of the Church here assembled, including the presidencies of quorums and quorum members, will please arise.

It is proposed that we sustain the counselors in the First Presidency, the Twelve Apostles, and the Patriarch to the Church, as prophets, seers, and revelators.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

The elders of the Church will please be seated.

The Aaronic Priesthood of the Church here assembled, including the presidencies of teachers and deacons quorums, and members of priests, teachers, and deacons quorums, will please arise.

It is proposed that we sustain the counselors in the First Presidency, the Twelve Apostles, and the Patriarch to the Church, as prophets, seers, and revelators.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

The Aaronic Priesthood of the Church will please be seated.

The entire congregation of the Church here assembled, all the members of the Church, those bearing the priesthood, and those not bearing it, will please arise. Once more we suggest that those in the Assembly Hall, and those listening by radio or viewing these services on television, also arise and join in the voting.

It is proposed that we sustain the counselors in the First Presidency, the Twelve Apostles, and the Patriarch to the Church, as prophets, seers, and revelators.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

The congregation will please be seated.

President Kimball, so far as observed, the voting on this proposal was unanimous in the affirmative.

Following the procedure used by President John Taylor, the voting to sustain the other General Authorities, the general officers of the Church, not heretofore sustained, and the heads of the auxiliary organizations will be in the form followed in regular general conferences. The audience will remain seated while voting; all the members will vote at the same time, by the uplifted hand. We suggest that those in the Assembly Hall, and those listening by radio or viewing these services on television, also join in this voting.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

It is proposed that we sustain Spencer Woolley Kimball as Trustee-in-Trust for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

It is proposed that we sustain as The First Council of the Seventy: Seymour Dilworth Young Milton R. Hunter Albert Theodore Tuttle Paul H. Dunn Hartman Rector, Jr. Loren C. Dunn Rex D. Pinegar

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

It is proposed that we sustain as the Presiding Bishopric of the Church: Victor L. Brown, Presiding Bishop H. Burke Peterson, First Counselor Vaughn J. Featherstone, Second Counselor

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

It is proposed that we sustain all Regional Representatives of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and all Mission Representatives of the Quorum of the Twelve and First Council of the Seventy as they are at present constituted.

Those in favor will raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

It is proposed that we sustain the named individuals in the following departments, committees, and other general Church organizations.

Those in favor please raise their right hands; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign.

President Kimball, so far as I have observed, the voting in each case was unanimous in the affirmative.